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Isaiah 2
New American Bible (Revised Edition)
Isaiah 2
New American Bible (Revised Edition)
Chapter 2
1 [a]This is what Isaiah, son of Amoz, saw concerning Judah and Jerusalem.
Zion, the Royal City of God
2 [b]In days to come,
The mountain of the Lord’s house
shall be established as the highest mountain
and raised above the hills.
All nations shall stream toward it.(A)
3 Many peoples shall come and say:
“Come, let us go up to the Lord’s mountain,
to the house of the God of Jacob,
That he may instruct us in his ways,
and we may walk in his paths.”(B)
For from Zion shall go forth instruction,
and the word of the Lord from Jerusalem.
4 [c]He shall judge between the nations,
and set terms for many peoples.
They shall beat their swords into plowshares
and their spears into pruning hooks;(C)
One nation shall not raise the sword against another,
nor shall they train for war again.(D)
5 [d]House of Jacob, come,
let us walk in the light of the Lord!
The Lord’s Day of Judgment on Pride
6 You have abandoned your people,
the house of Jacob!
Because they are filled with diviners,
and soothsayers, like the Philistines;
with foreigners they clasp hands.(E)
7 Their land is full of silver and gold,
there is no end to their treasures;
Their land is full of horses,
there is no end to their chariots.
8 Their land is full of idols;
they bow down to the works of their hands,
what their fingers have made.(F)
9 So all shall be abased,
each one brought low.[e]
Do not pardon them!
10 Get behind the rocks,
hide in the dust,
From the terror of the Lord
and the splendor of his majesty!
11 The eyes of human pride shall be lowered,
the arrogance of mortals shall be abased,
and the Lord alone will be exalted, on that day.[f]
12 For the Lord of hosts will have his day
against all that is proud and arrogant,
against all that is high, and it will be brought low;
13 Yes, against all the cedars of Lebanon[g]
and against all the oaks of Bashan,
14 Against all the lofty mountains
and all the high hills,
15 Against every lofty tower
and every fortified wall,
16 Against all the ships of Tarshish
and all stately vessels.
17 Then human pride shall be abased,
the arrogance of mortals brought low,
And the Lord alone will be exalted on that day.
18 The idols will vanish completely.
19 People will go into caves in the rocks
and into holes in the earth,
At the terror of the Lord
and the splendor of his majesty,
as he rises to overawe the earth.
20 On that day people shall throw to moles and bats
their idols of silver and their idols of gold
which they made for themselves to worship.
21 And they shall go into caverns in the rocks
and into crevices in the cliffs,
At the terror of the Lord
and the splendor of his majesty,
as he rises to overawe the earth.
22 [h]As for you, stop worrying about mortals,
in whose nostrils is but a breath;
for of what worth are they?
Footnotes
- 2:1 This editorial heading probably introduced the collection of chaps. 2–12, to which chap. 1 with its introduction was added later (see note on 1:2–31).
- 2:2–22 These verses contain two very important oracles, one on the pilgrimage of nations to Mount Zion (vv. 2–4—completed with an invitation to the “house of Jacob,” v. 5), the other on the day of the Lord (see note on Am 5:18), which was probably composed from at least two earlier pieces. Whereas vv. 6–8 indict Judah for trust in superstitious practices and human resources rather than in the Lord, the following verses are directed against humankind in general and emphasize the effect of the “day of the Lord,” the humbling of human pride. This may be taken as a precondition for the glorious vision of vv. 2–4. This vision of Zion’s glorious future, which is also found in a slightly variant form in Mi 4:1–4, is rooted in the early Zion tradition, cultivated in the royal cult in Jerusalem. It celebrated God’s choice of Jerusalem as the divine dwelling place, along with God’s choice of the Davidic dynasty (Ps 68:16–17; 78:67–72; 132:13–18). Highest mountain: the Zion tradition followed earlier mythological conceptions that associate the abode of deities with very high mountains (Ps 48:2–3). The lifting of Mount Zion is a metaphor for universal recognition of the Lord’s authority.
- 2:4 Once the nations acknowledge God as sovereign, they go up to Jerusalem to settle their disputes, rather than having recourse to war.
- 2:5 This verse is added as a conclusion to vv. 2–4; cf. Mi 4:4–5, where a quite different conclusion is provided for the parallel version of this oracle.
- 2:9 Bowing down to idols will not bring deliverance to Israel, but rather total abasement. Do not pardon them: this line is so abrupt that it is almost certainly an intrusion in the text.
- 2:11 That day: i.e., the day of the Lord; cf. note on Am 5:18.
- 2:13 Lebanon: Mount Lebanon in Syria, famed for its cedars. Bashan: the fertile uplands east of the Sea of Galilee.
- 2:22 The meaning of this verse, certainly a later addition, is not clear. It is not addressed to God but to a plural subject.
Isaiah 2
New Revised Standard Version Catholic Edition
Isaiah 2
New Revised Standard Version Catholic Edition
The Future House of God
2 The word that Isaiah son of Amoz saw concerning Judah and Jerusalem.
2 In days to come
the mountain of the Lord’s house
shall be established as the highest of the mountains,
and shall be raised above the hills;
all the nations shall stream to it.
3 Many peoples shall come and say,
“Come, let us go up to the mountain of the Lord,
to the house of the God of Jacob;
that he may teach us his ways
and that we may walk in his paths.”
For out of Zion shall go forth instruction,
and the word of the Lord from Jerusalem.
4 He shall judge between the nations,
and shall arbitrate for many peoples;
they shall beat their swords into plowshares,
and their spears into pruning hooks;
nation shall not lift up sword against nation,
neither shall they learn war any more.
Judgment Pronounced on Arrogance
5 O house of Jacob,
come, let us walk
in the light of the Lord!
6 For you have forsaken the ways of[a] your people,
O house of Jacob.
Indeed they are full of diviners[b] from the east
and of soothsayers like the Philistines,
and they clasp hands with foreigners.
7 Their land is filled with silver and gold,
and there is no end to their treasures;
their land is filled with horses,
and there is no end to their chariots.
8 Their land is filled with idols;
they bow down to the work of their hands,
to what their own fingers have made.
9 And so people are humbled,
and everyone is brought low—
do not forgive them!
10 Enter into the rock,
and hide in the dust
from the terror of the Lord,
and from the glory of his majesty.
11 The haughty eyes of people shall be brought low,
and the pride of everyone shall be humbled;
and the Lord alone will be exalted on that day.
12 For the Lord of hosts has a day
against all that is proud and lofty,
against all that is lifted up and high;[c]
13 against all the cedars of Lebanon,
lofty and lifted up;
and against all the oaks of Bashan;
14 against all the high mountains,
and against all the lofty hills;
15 against every high tower,
and against every fortified wall;
16 against all the ships of Tarshish,
and against all the beautiful craft.[d]
17 The haughtiness of people shall be humbled,
and the pride of everyone shall be brought low;
and the Lord alone will be exalted on that day.
18 The idols shall utterly pass away.
19 Enter the caves of the rocks
and the holes of the ground,
from the terror of the Lord,
and from the glory of his majesty,
when he rises to terrify the earth.
20 On that day people will throw away
to the moles and to the bats
their idols of silver and their idols of gold,
which they made for themselves to worship,
21 to enter the caverns of the rocks
and the clefts in the crags,
from the terror of the Lord,
and from the glory of his majesty,
when he rises to terrify the earth.
22 Turn away from mortals,
who have only breath in their nostrils,
for of what account are they?
Footnotes
- Isaiah 2:6 Heb lacks the ways of
- Isaiah 2:6 Cn: Heb lacks of diviners
- Isaiah 2:12 Cn Compare Gk: Heb low
- Isaiah 2:16 Compare Gk: Meaning of Heb uncertain
Isaiah 2
Common English Bible
Isaiah 2
Common English Bible
The Lord’s mountain
2 This is what Isaiah, Amoz’s son, saw concerning Judah and Jerusalem.
2 In the days to come
the mountain of the Lord’s house
will be the highest of the mountains.
It will be lifted above the hills;
peoples will stream to it.
3 Many nations will go and say,
“Come, let’s go up to the Lord’s mountain,
to the house of Jacob’s God
so that he may teach us his ways
and we may walk in God’s paths.”
Instruction will come from Zion;
the Lord’s word from Jerusalem.
4 God will judge between the nations,
and settle disputes of mighty nations.
Then they will beat their swords into iron plows
and their spears into pruning tools.
Nation will not take up sword against nation;
they will no longer learn how to make war.
5 Come, house of Jacob,
let’s walk by the Lord’s light.
Everyone is brought low
6 You have abandoned your people,
house of Jacob.
They are full of sorcerers from the east and fortune-tellers like the Philistines;
they hold hands with foreigners’ children.[a]
7 Their land is full of silver and gold;
they have countless treasures.
Their land is filled with horses;
they have countless chariots.
8 Their land is filled with idols;
they worship their handiwork,
what their own fingers have made.
9 Humanity will be brought down;
each person laid low—don’t lift them up![b]
10 Go into the rocks,
and hide yourself in the dust from the terror of the Lord,
from the splendor of God’s majesty!
11 People’s proud gazing will be stopped
and humanity’s arrogance brought down;
the Lord alone will be exalted on that day.
12 The Lord of heavenly forces has planned a day:
against all that is prideful and haughty;
against all that is lofty, and it will be laid low;[c]
13 against all the cedars of Lebanon, high and lofty;
against all the oaks of Bashan;
14 against all the high mountains;
against all the lofty hills;
15 against every tall tower;
against every fortified wall;
16 against all the ships of Tarshish;
against all the wonderful boats.[d]
17 People’s pride will be brought down
and human arrogance humiliated.
The Lord alone will be exalted on that day;
18 the idols will completely pass away.
19 Go into caves in the rocks
and holes in the dust
before the terror of the Lord
and the splendor of God’s majesty,
when he arises to terrify the earth.
20 On that day, people will toss
to the rodents[e] and to the bats
their idols of silver and idols of gold,
which they made for themselves to worship.
21 They will hide in fissures of rocks and in crevices of cliffs
before the terror of the Lord
and the splendor of God’s majesty
when he arises to terrify the earth.
22 Quit admiring the human race,
who breathe through their nostrils.
Why should they be admired?
Footnotes
- Isaiah 2:6 Heb uncertain
- Isaiah 2:9 Or don’t forgive them
- Isaiah 2:12 LXX and high
- Isaiah 2:16 Heb uncertain
- Isaiah 2:20 Heb uncertain
Isaiah 2
New American Standard Bible
Isaiah 2
New American Standard Bible
God’s Universal Reign
2 The word which (A)Isaiah the son of Amoz saw concerning Judah and Jerusalem.
2 Now it will come about that
(B)In the last days
The (C)mountain of the house of the Lord
Will be established [a]as the chief of the mountains,
And will be raised above the hills;
And (D)all the nations will stream to it.
3 And many peoples will come and say,
“Come, let’s go up to the mountain of the Lord,
To the house of the God of Jacob;
So that He may teach us [b]about His ways,
And that we may walk in His paths.”
For [c]the law will go out (E)from Zion
And the word of the Lord from Jerusalem.
4 And He will judge between the nations,
And will mediate for many peoples;
And (F)they will beat their swords into plowshares, and their spears into pruning knives.
(G)Nation will not lift up a sword against nation,
And never again will they learn war.
5 Come, (H)house of Jacob, and let’s walk in the (I)light of the Lord.
6 For You have (J)abandoned Your people, the house of Jacob,
Because they are filled with influences from the east,
And they are soothsayers (K)like the Philistines.
They also [d](L)strike bargains with the children of foreigners.
7 Their land has also been filled with silver and gold
And there is no end to their treasures;
Their land has also been filled with (M)horses,
And there is no end to their chariots.
8 Their land has also been (N)filled with idols;
They worship the (O)work of their hands,
That which their fingers have made.
9 So (P)the common person has been humbled
And the person of importance has been brought low,
But (Q)do not forgive them.
10 (R)Enter the rocky place and hide in the dust
(S)From the terror of the Lord and from the splendor of His majesty.
11 The [e](T)proud look of humanity will be brought low,
And the (U)arrogance of people will be humbled;
And the Lord alone will be exalted on that day.
A Day of Reckoning Coming
12 For the Lord of armies will have a day of reckoning
Against (V)everyone who is arrogant and haughty,
And against everyone who is lifted up,
That he may be brought low.
13 And it will be against all the cedars of Lebanon that are lofty and lifted up,
Against all the (W)oaks of Bashan,
14 Against all the (X)lofty mountains,
Against all the hills that are lifted up,
15 Against every (Y)high tower,
Against every fortified wall,
16 Against all the (Z)ships of Tarshish
And against all the delightful ships.
17 And the pride of humanity will be humbled
And the arrogance of people will be brought low;
And the Lord alone will be exalted on that day,
18 And the (AA)idols will completely vanish.
19 People will (AB)go into caves of the rocks
And into holes in the [f]ground
Away from the terror of the Lord
And the splendor of His majesty,
When He arises (AC)to terrify the earth.
20 On that day people will (AD)throw away to the moles and the (AE)bats
Their idols of silver and their idols of gold,
Which they made for themselves to worship,
21 In order to (AF)go into the clefts of the rocks and the crannies of the cliffs
Before the terror of the Lord and the splendor of His majesty,
When He arises to terrify the earth.
22 [g](AG)Take no account of man, whose breath of life is in his nostrils;
For [h](AH)why should he be esteemed?
Footnotes
- Isaiah 2:2 Lit on
- Isaiah 2:3 Or some of
- Isaiah 2:3 Or instruction
- Isaiah 2:6 Lit clap their hands
- Isaiah 2:11 Lit eyes of the pride of man
- Isaiah 2:19 Lit dust
- Isaiah 2:22 Or Stop caring about
- Isaiah 2:22 Lit in what
Isaiah 2
New International Version
Isaiah 2
New International Version
The Mountain of the Lord(A)
2 This is what Isaiah son of Amoz saw concerning Judah and Jerusalem:(B)
2 In the last days(C)
the mountain(D) of the Lord’s temple will be established
as the highest of the mountains;(E)
it will be exalted(F) above the hills,
and all nations will stream to it.(G)
3 Many peoples(H) will come and say,
“Come, let us go(I) up to the mountain(J) of the Lord,
to the temple of the God of Jacob.
He will teach us his ways,
so that we may walk in his paths.”
The law(K) will go out from Zion,
the word of the Lord from Jerusalem.(L)
4 He will judge(M) between the nations
and will settle disputes(N) for many peoples.
They will beat their swords into plowshares
and their spears into pruning hooks.(O)
Nation will not take up sword against nation,(P)
nor will they train for war anymore.
The Day of the Lord
6 You, Lord, have abandoned(S) your people,
the descendants of Jacob.(T)
They are full of superstitions from the East;
they practice divination(U) like the Philistines(V)
and embrace(W) pagan customs.(X)
7 Their land is full of silver and gold;(Y)
there is no end to their treasures.(Z)
Their land is full of horses;(AA)
there is no end to their chariots.(AB)
8 Their land is full of idols;(AC)
they bow down(AD) to the work of their hands,(AE)
to what their fingers(AF) have made.
9 So people will be brought low(AG)
and everyone humbled(AH)—
do not forgive them.[a](AI)
10 Go into the rocks, hide(AJ) in the ground
from the fearful presence of the Lord
and the splendor of his majesty!(AK)
11 The eyes of the arrogant(AL) will be humbled(AM)
and human pride(AN) brought low;(AO)
the Lord alone will be exalted(AP) in that day.(AQ)
12 The Lord Almighty has a day(AR) in store
for all the proud(AS) and lofty,(AT)
for all that is exalted(AU)
(and they will be humbled),(AV)
13 for all the cedars of Lebanon,(AW) tall and lofty,(AX)
and all the oaks of Bashan,(AY)
14 for all the towering mountains
and all the high hills,(AZ)
15 for every lofty tower(BA)
and every fortified wall,(BB)
16 for every trading ship[b](BC)
and every stately vessel.
17 The arrogance of man will be brought low(BD)
and human pride humbled;(BE)
the Lord alone will be exalted in that day,(BF)
18 and the idols(BG) will totally disappear.(BH)
19 People will flee to caves(BI) in the rocks
and to holes in the ground(BJ)
from the fearful presence(BK) of the Lord
and the splendor of his majesty,(BL)
when he rises to shake the earth.(BM)
20 In that day(BN) people will throw away
to the moles and bats(BO)
their idols of silver and idols of gold,(BP)
which they made to worship.(BQ)
21 They will flee to caverns in the rocks(BR)
and to the overhanging crags
from the fearful presence of the Lord
and the splendor of his majesty,(BS)
when he rises(BT) to shake the earth.(BU)
Footnotes
- Isaiah 2:9 Or not raise them up
- Isaiah 2:16 Hebrew every ship of Tarshish
New American Bible (Revised Edition) (NABRE)
Scripture texts, prefaces, introductions, footnotes and cross references used in this work are taken from the New American Bible, revised edition © 2010, 1991, 1986, 1970 Confraternity of Christian Doctrine, Inc., Washington, DC All Rights Reserved. No part of this work may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the copyright owner.
New Revised Standard Version Catholic Edition (NRSVCE)
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Common English Bible (CEB)
Copyright © 2011 by Common English Bible
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